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July 27th, 2009
04:19 PM ET
Ask Dr. Sanjay Gupta your health care reform questionsDo the health care reform headlines leave you with more questions than answers? Dr. Gupta is your health care reform insider – and he wants to hear from you! Post your questions for Dr. Gupta in the comments below or tweet him @SanjayGuptaCNN. |
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
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I have a case of saver nail fungus on my toes and left hand nails. What can I do for this problem. I do not want to take
drugs that are harmful to my liver and kidneys. Please give me some feedback on this problem. Thank You.
i have very important question and they are private.is their any way you can email me?
In the program you say there is 2 kine of LHL,How do you test the LHL big and the LHL small . And how can you lower your small LHL.
Best Regards, Jorge Loredo. PS keep the good work, and thank you so much.
where or how do i post a question please????? i am a retired senior trying to learn and keep up
My sister-in-law has stage 4 lung cancer following colon cancer. Her primary care dr's. office sells mannatech optimal support packets at $200 for a months supply which, she was told, has cured lung cancer. She does not have this kind of money, but feels this may be her last resort. She has 2 types of chemo every two weeks. Is this a legitimate product to cure cancer, which I doubt, or is she wasting her money. If it's a cure, we would help her pay for it, but if not, it's taking a great deal of her monthly income. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
watched Shannon Miller and I want to know how an MD finds ovarian cancer on a routine physical. I am 70 and have one every yr. but never had my ovaries checked. If there are no symptoms how can my yrly exam demonstrate a problem???
I fell and broke my ankle at work. A few minutes after that my toes tingled and were numb on both feet. Progression got so bad after 2 years, i can ahrdly walk more than 50ft. without stopping. I think i need a scotter chair. I am 63 years old went to four doctors that work sent me to, 1 on my own and they said the neuropathy was not caused from the fall. I am getting a MRI of the lower spine. The EMG test showed i have acute neuropathy. I am not a diabetic. I need your opinion desperately. Thank you, Nancy T. Romero (they all said neuropathy is not caused from a fall)
My husband retired early due to Parkinson's Disease. He had a contract with a school district to cover him and his spouse for as many years as employed. Question: can our now 25 year old son go back on his health plan regardless of my husband's work status? Haven't seen this addressed yet. According to my husband and the district, my husband is not an active employee and therefore our son can not go back on. Thank you for your response. Kathy
My fiance currently lives in Colorado and is covered by her employer's health plan. She suffers from an inoperable brain tumor and is currently under a physician's care in Denver. She is planning on leaving Colorado and her job to live with me in New Jersey where we plan on getting married soon. Once she leaves her job, however, her health coverage will terminate, and I am currently unemployed. What are her options for continued care in New Jersey until we find employment and can afford a new health care plan? The future looks frightening to us right now without the financial ability to continue treatment on our own.
Dear Dr. Gupta,
Last year, my father (Date of Birth: 11/22/1930) got diagnosed with ineffective esophageal dismotility. The doctors who did the diagnosis also informed us that there is currently no treatment for this condition. However, they did prescribe him Topical Bethanechol based on trials done at the Georgia Health Sciences University (http://www.clinicaltrialssearch.org/topical-bethanechol-for-improvement-of-esophageal-dysmotility-nct01031043.html). Unfortunately Topical Bethanechol only provided diminishing temporary relief and side effects like nausea and dizziness.
Is there anything you could recommend for his condition? Specifically anything that would help relieve the constant burping which is keeping him up all night.
Thank you in advance for your response – Viresh
Dr.sanjay gupta
Hello Dr. Sanjay Gupta I really like reading about the information you have I have some health care needs and my insurance does not cover all my health care needs we need a reformed system were I and others can get there needs met . It is really hard when I am on a tight budget to get all my needs met are system is two much about money for the doctors I feel and not enough about health care I do research but I don't have all the skill to get my needs met and some of the suggestions from my doctor are not realistic for me health care is two costly in this country. Jessica
Hi Dr. Gupta,
My sister is 19 weeks pregnant her ultrasound shows the amniotic fluid is leaking out and she has a ruptured membrane. While searching for solutions, I found an article from The New York Times newspaper published Nov. 21, 2000 about a possible solution to seal the ruptured membrane. I would love to get more information on this procedure. We seriously need your help! Thank you
Desperate
Frances
Hello
I am 25 years old and one day I saw Red dry circle of blood around my belly button. No there is no blood but smelly discharge is released from it. I am very concern about it the doctor gave me antibiotics can you please tell me what can the cause be Thank you
Hello Dr Gupta
My brother in law has scleroderma and is now facing serious medical problems such as kidney failure and had to be Put in an artificial coma because he now has breathing problems. He is in Martinique at this moment. I need some advice as to where and how to go about seeking the right medical treatment for him. He has been in this state for about a month now and no improvement. Instead he is getting worse and more of his organs are being affected. At present he has only received treatment for renal failure. Afraid that we will lose him if he is left in this state. Need your advice and help urgently. He has had the disease for about 2 years
Thanks in advance
Hello Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
I was diagnosed withTrigeminal Neuralgia in 2001, I had received all the possible medical treatment with no success and terrible side effect, finally i had radiofrequency thermocoagualation procedure done in bomaby, india back in 2003. I was perfactly fine until last week. When i was eating an apple i felt the same shock or shooting pain and i am affraid that it might come back. When i had procedure done, md said i will be fine for atleast 5 years and all these years my half face was numb and no or minimal sensation in that area, but now i feel the senses in that area, that means the effect is wearing off.
From this i have question:
1. what will be the next treatment option for future episode?
2. I have heard of gamma knife radiation surgery or alcohol injection procedure, what is the take on this?
3. What are the success rate of surgery and complication of the surgery?
4. which are the best clinics or places for this kind of surgery?
I will appreciate any feedback from you. I have faith in you as you are a neurosurgeon and good reporter.
Thanks,
Mita Patel
My father is recently diagonsed with Alzheimer in India and I feel very helpless, anxious and frustrated. It has even made my blood pressure rise. 3 years back my father had a major two wheeler accident and he had to be operated to put a metal rod in his leg. Of course this was done under anesthesia lasting for at least > 1 hour. During his initial recovery in ICU he was very wild and completely disoriented. He was babbling and saying things totally out of context. Doctors said that it is very common after anesthesia
and said that it will last for 2-3 days. However, after his recovery back we noticed remarkable degradation of his memory in about one year.
I discussed this with his neorologist but he said that it is just timing that we started noticing this when he was mostly homebound after the accident. Also, I feel that due to this limitation he
started loosing his social skills due to limited exposure and being dependant on others to take him around.
I have him visiting me here in US these days and I wanted some neurologist to go through his current MRIs to help us understand the difficult course that we are on. I desperately need a professional help to talk this out. With complicated US insurance, all these excellent medical facilities looks waste. For visitors the coverage is limited to catastrophic events only. Even though I might not want to have him treated here but still I am not sure which neurologist will be ready to speak to us just to discuss the reports and "no liability" of treatment just for the fear of insurance complications.
I feel so helpless and thus I am turning on to you for help.
Regards,
Shailendra
I saw CNN last night (March 18) talking about our health care system and comparing it to other countries health care systems. I was unable to watch it all, and I am trying to track it down so I can see it in full. Can you help? Thank you.
What is endocrine disorder an can it kill me
Help!
A frind of mine was diagnosed with brain tumor, and needs to go abroad from africa for surgery. Can you please advise a hosptial in India. Very urgent.
Hello Dr. Gupta,
I have 2 major problems in my abdomen, back and colon and need to find the best way to go about choosing the right providers to get to the root of my problems.
1. I have endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, adenomyosis and possibly fibroids according to my doctor. I have had three laproscopic surgeries for my endo but no relief was achieved. My pain has gotten worse over time, my husband and I want to have children but we're told I will have to cut my fallopian tubes and resort to IVF. I have a period 3-4 weeks out of the month, there is unbearable pain during the first 3-4 days then it there is alot of spotting, not a full period, but it just drags on and on. I have been recently put back on a birth control to monitor it, but i still have horrible pain the first few days. I use ibuprofen every 4 hours to help soothe the burning back pain and abdominal cramping.
2. I had a colonoscopy and the doctor found a benign polyp and removed it but i have issues using the toilet, my spincter is so tight I don't have much anal cavity, this causes severe abdominal and back pain when I go. I suffer from really bad and painful anal fissures but now I have swollen pieces of tissue (think I was told they are small hemrhoids) hanging outside my anal cavity. When I am going to the bathroom I have tremendous pain in my abdomen, burning in my lower back radiating down the top of my buttocks; the pain goes away after I go, but worsens in my abdomen and back area during my period.
I would like the pain from my period to stop, the issues in my colon to go away and my husband would like to try any possible natural alternatives to get pregnant soon, I will be 35 this year and no children so far. Please tell me the best way to go about choosing and advising my providers. help!
My doctor suggested I have a colonoscopy done for preventive care and because of my age 50, and I had breast cancer.
So I had a colonoscopy done Fri. Sept 30th 2010. The test showed everything was normal-no polyps.
After the test, I felt like something was wrong I was puffed up, I noticed on Tuesday. & Thursday., after the colonoscopy ,there was blood in my stool.
I've been in severe pain every day since.
At first the pain was the outline of colon. It has been a year now the pain is now below the rib cage right and left side. When I try to sleep and lay on my right or left side I have to hold my abdomen because it feels like my insides are tearing. The pain is always there but so much more when laying on my sides. When sitting up , I Have to sit with back straight, feels like ribs are cutting into body.
I Had my kidney ,bladder, gallbladder,pancreas,spine-x-ray checked–everything was fine.
From sept 2010 to may 2010 was on hydrocodon for pain. In May the meds didn't work anymore. So I got a tens unit.
What doctor should I see and what test should I have done to figure out why I'm still in pain ? I'm in pain daily-tearing pain.
Could it be scraped inside my colon? Or nerve injury? I'm at wits end who to go to for help.
I never went back to the place where I had the colonoscopy , I was to afraid to. I went to family doctor she thought it was kidney stones. So for 4 months I believe that was the problem . Two urologists said where the kidney stones are shouldn't even be causing me any pain. That is when I discover where the large intestine is because that is where the pain is. So I went to gastrologists a couple of them they gave me meds for IBS I don't have I.B.S. Then the next couple of gastrologists said that there finding out that the after effect of the assistants pushing on patients during colonoscopy is causing post problems. They, also, put me on different meds -. none worked.
It's been such a nightmare, to look ok and be in so much pain.
Please help me. I've been in daily pain for a year and 1/2. I can't work, I need to work.
Please help me.
What information can you give us regarding the new information on PSA testing? My husband has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and he is trying to decide what his options are, those with the least complications. He will be 70 in September. Thank you
Good Afternoon Dr. Gupta:
Dr. Evening Dr. Gupta
My daughter sprained her left ankle while on crutches dealing with her right knee in which she had an ACL reconstruction procedure, when she was 15 years old. We took to the emergency room for the sprained ankle and the x-rays showed nothing to be wrong with the ankle besides being sprained. Time went on and she continues to experience pain with her ankle. I took her an orthopedic doctor more than once and they continue to say nothing was wrong with her ankle. After a couple of months her left ankle and top of her foot swelled and would not go down no matter what we did. I’ve take her to several doctors over the years and no one can tell us to this day what is wrong with her foot. My daughter is now 25 and she is now experiencing constant swelling in both legs at the present. In December I took her to an ankle and foot doctor and the Doctor said that doing an ankle reconstruction would in deed fix the problem. It made it ten times worst…
We have seen orthopedic doctors; vascular surgeon and no one have a clue to what is going on with the swelling in her ankles. Her ankles are starting to get bigger by the day. Some doctors say that it is lymphedema and some say that it’s not.
Some tests have been performed, but it seems to come up empty. It’s a shame, because she’s a very pretty girl and she cannot wear anything but a tennis shose at the present, because of the swelling… sad; please help us if you can.
Dear dr I have pain. From behind my down my back dowm shoulder. It feel like a muscle. I have see so many dr. But no one can give me a answer. I had it last year please help me get some answers
Does having Medicare meet the requirement to have insurance under the (wonderful!) healthcare reform act?
How do subsidies for low income earners work, and what are the income requirments ?
Hi! I'm wondering what the definition of "affordable" health insurance is? What is considered an "afforable" policy for a family of four with some pre-existng conditions.
Thanks!
About two years ago my dental insurance reimbursement reached the "maximum lifetime coverage". Will the prohibition of maximum limits allow coverage for future dental expenses?
PLEASE IF ON AIR – DO NOTUSE MY LAST NAME. THANKS.
A few of us senior citizens seem to be out of the loop with the new Obama healthcare plans – with exchanges etc. which seem to aspply to non-medicare and non-medigap plans. Will there be a change of any kind with medigap policies and Plan "D" plans as a result of that legislation which can result in substantially less premiums – or any benefit to seniors? Thank you. (Please email me the answer.)
Hi Dr.Gupta,
Good Day to u. I really love lsitening to your shows and you are an amazing person.
I have a question, my cousin's dad who is now 94yrs old had a stroke some months back and came out of it in 2-3days and back home, but after some 3months or so he got a seizure and based on MRI ..doc. believe there is a big grapefruit size lump in his brain and are not positive abt him get operated due to the pain he will encounter, but this uncle is very very strong & a wonderful person, is there and cure that you think will help him...Pls. advice. He lives in Chicago.
Thank you and hoping you can respond at the esarliest as we are waiting for a miracle....Cheers,..Dana
WHen do girls stop growing ? My daughter started her period last summer. She has not grown much since then. She has asthma and has used an inhaler that has steriods. We felt that may have stopped her growth. She has not used it in over 6 months. SHe did not use it much to begin with. She is currently 5'-4". Her mother is 5'-5" and I am 6'-4". I have heard that girls stop growing around 2 years after they start their period. What is your thoughts Sanjay. My family loves watching you on CNN. Thanks......Tom
My 10 yr old sons says he sees colored dots ( purple,yellow, gray). Specially when he sees on an angle. He occasionally gets migraines too. How worried should I be?
Dental Xrays- Are they safe? Every time we go to dentist for my 7 yr old son he Xrays. And if a staff makes a mistake, they do it again. I am worried sick.
I am need of your expert advice as Dr. and as a parent. Please advice. THANK YOU
My Brother was hit by a van ( In india) on April 30 and was in coma for 28 days.
Then he was ICU for a month
Came to normal ward and started taking drinks orally.
At one point of time he took 1500 ml per day
Responses like opening tongue, moving Hands/legs were happening.
Stiffness in Hands/Legs : Physiotherapy is given every day.
Then one day due to High Fever (Aspiration) , had to go to ICU
After 1 week came back to regular ward
Since then the Response is little. Once in a week opening the tongue etc.
So fare 10 scans were taken. Initially there were blood clots which were slowly
gone based on medication
In the subsequent scans the Doctor said brain is clear
But in the last scan Doctor is saying the poor response is may be due to Brain Shrinking
Now the Doctor is saying Recovery will be a long process
Could you please advice how long it will take and what is chance of recovery etc.
All the scans are in Films. If required I will ask my uncle to send it to you.
Hello Dr Gupta, I have a question that you may or maynot be able to help me with. In 2000 I had a spinal fusion of L5 S1-2 and now L4 has herniated and will require surgery, I am in pain and on pain medicine but end up going to the er at least once a week for a dialudid shot which stops the pain for about a week
My question is having no insurance and the vocational rehab where I live is out of money what other suggestions do I have in order to see a Neurosurgeon or any one to help with this matter.
I value you input and always watch you on cnn any help at all would most appreciated
Thank you
Scott
Alabama
Dr. Gupta,
My question is regarding your upcoming special concerning prescription pain medications and accidental overdose.
Are the overdoses occurring as a result of the narcotic content in the medications or are they a result of liver failure due to the addition of Tylenol into the medications. Tylenol is put into most pain medications to deter individuals from abusing them. It is the result of MUCH CONGRESSIONAL LOBBYING on behalf of the insurance companies who would rather individuals overdose on medication than to lose money because of overuse/misuse/abuse. The truth is if you are in so much pain that TYLENOL is not sufficient – then having it present in the pain medication is for the synergistic purposes as purported.
Tell the truth Dr. Gupta. You know what it is. Your liscense depends on it
Heard you one the radio the other day and you said belly fat is the easiest fat to get rid of, please tell me how as this is my only problem area. Thanks!
Dr. Gupta, I have a question about past LSD usage. I am 40 now and no longer partake in any illegal drug usage but in my younger days I loved LSD. I am concerned that there may be some residual side effects all these years later. I do not have flash backs but I do have trouble remembering things. It seems to be more with word recall and not so much images or concepts. For example, I can hear a name, like say Tom Cruise and instantly have an image of him in my head. However it may not always work the other way around. Could this possibly be caused by the LSD usage or is just hereditary or something else all together?
On another note: Thank you so much for all you do! You are truly an angel to many people in need.
Sincerely, Vannca
Dr. Gupta. I have a question and major concerns about my granddaughter Autumn that is 8 years old. About 6 to 7 weeks ago she was having a fever that would not go away. Her mother ( my daughter ) at first though it might be the flu or a cold that she had until she got to a point to where her arm was very sore and she had problems moving it. She was told to get her into the emergency room where they determined she had infection that had formed aroung her clavicle bone. The next morning they performed surgery to remove the infection. After several days in the hospital and antibiotics they decided to send her home after installing a pick line for more antibiotics for about 3 weeks. After this was completed they did some tests and determined her levels were fine and the pick line was removed. This week again she has been having a low grade fever and today she is having pain again which is restricting the movement in her arm and neck. They are currently taking her into the ER at the university hospital in Omaha, NE. My question and concern is are they possible overlooking something here that is the source of the problem?
Thank you in advance and thank you for all your hard work!!
I have a daughter that has brain injury from an automobile accident. Doctors tell her there is nothing more
they can do for her. Would Omega 3 help her? Thank you
Do researchers try any of the herbal remedies on those hard to kill bacteria and viruse?. I personally have had impressive results at times with Burdock root, Pau D'arco, Elderberry, and Olive leaf extract. These are very old if not ancient anti-biotics. More so in use for bacterial infections but somewhat helpful toward viruses.
There is a wonderful story about Pau D'arco.- Under research the isolated active ingrediant was found to be incredibly toxic so rather than go back to use in it's natural state – They stopped the research. I would love to see that story hit the airwaves. On the same thread as this You might consider reporting on what buffered means – most herbals are naturally buffered.
My wife is very sick and is considering ending her life due to pain. I have convinced her to wait for 2014. We live in Mi and she is disabled but not yet receiveing ssdi. When can we get her medicare plus . We are discoraged as its hard to find a md or specialist that takes reg medicade. Will med plus cover more and will spedialist/md take it. She is in desparate need of a nerve interuptet or intrathecal pum. She has horrible rotoscoliosis that is crushing her. Disks and nerves. Pills don't work well. We can hear her disk rubing and grinding against one another . She was at 20% curve 11 years ago and was told it wouldn't get worsw as of 2 yrs ago she is a 29% curve she has to be above 30 degrees now and her breathing is labored with asthma not helping. She has several othe dissabilities to. Are the drs out their that help unensured. Will obamacare help her she can't work or pay nor can I on my ssdi $933. Per month . Please advisse or. Tell us on your show about medicare plus because I hear many drs. Saying that medical dictates what they are paid and in some cases like mine does cover evev my cost but I have a kind dr. I love her and want her to live. Her. One trueset best wish is 'IS TO LIVE IN SOMEONE ELES BODY FOR JUST ONE DAY. She is in the process of getting recdord ready to aply for ssdi we know we wil get an auto denial as 99% of people do. Drs have said they will write letters to ssdi and say she is disabled but getting them to do it is like pulling teeth as its a lot of work to write up and then they try to tell u to get a soecialits to do it. Againg say they will but have yet to get one as when she did have medicaid it didn't pay much for them to write it is my guess. After she applied for state dissability the evalauation dr agreed she was in roughp shape ans said he whould do all he could to give her a faverable. Diagnosis and ofcorse she got the automatice denial which is designed to get people to give up and not apeal. She was the told that even if she had no job she di not qualify because. Their denial said not disabled . What a laugh and was not eligibal for mi midicaid. Why do prisoners get medicaid right out of prison when released but my frail 33 year old frail wife, who uses a cane and walker can't Get medicaid. She cry out real tears evry time she ajusts in bed while sleeping 20 times a night and now spend 90 % of every day in bed. She has nonepilectic seisures do to the stress of the pain which cripples her for days. At a 9 to 10 on the pain scale. Thank you very much for reading. We would love to call in or tell our story on your show. Btw I ony covered half her diagnosis. Thank you for any help ,advice you could provide. We have a good story of slipping though. The medical cracks. 517 554 1254 dustin and jenifer sidebottom studer. My most humble thanks
My age is 65. The cartiage in my left knee is almost worn out and I have been told that I will need knee replacement when the pain gets too bad ( very little pain now ) I have heard that there is such a thing as cartilage replacement. Could you suggest a doctor in the US that can that I can see about this. Much thanks Bob Maurice Toronto, Canada
Hello Dr. Gupta,
I am engaged to be married later this year. I have known my fiancée for three years. Our relationship is open and honest.
She had some sexual activity years before we met. She contracted a STD. she told me that it will NEEVER go away. Can that be accurate?
My friend has been diagnosed with angiosarcoma. It has shown up on his head. We have an appointment at MD Anderson next week. What are some questions we should ask our doctor? Thank you for your help.
I have a reoccurring wound or infection on the palm of my hand. I'm not sure where it comes from, but I mostly thought it resembled poison ivy. The palm of my hand has bubbles that have a clear solution that comes out when skin is broken. It goes away, and the skin heals, but just as it's almost finished, the infection comes back. I'm curious as to what this may be, and what treatment options I have.
I have been watching your reporting of the Ebola Virus in Africa and would like to know what kind of epidemic curve we are seeing with this virus and specifically this outbreak.
Thank you for your time.
Marc
Is it really safe to get my 6 month old a flu shot?
Dear Dr. Gupta
Yesterday, the news media reported the first EBOLA patient in the US. According to the reports this person arrived from Liberia and became sick several days later. He went to the ER. The medical staff sent him home. Several days later he was still sick and returned to the ER . This time he was admitted and isolated.
My question is Why did the medical staff send him home the first time? With the profile of travelling from Liberia and days later showing symptoms, what were there thinking? Why was he NOT ISOLATED the first time?
The news media needs to ask these questions. I am an RN for over 40 years and I would like better understand for their decision
Thank you for your time.
Hi Dr Gupta,
Our son has had Type 1 Diabetes for 7 years now, he is currently 11 years old and we daily face the challenges of offering him a healthy and normal childhood.
We have researched the website for years for a more natural and alternative approach to managing his situation other than him remaining insulin dependant for the rest of his life.
We are very excited to have just today discovered the Diabetes Destroyed programme but are also very caution of trying this with our son as he is so very precious to us.
I suppose in the day and age of scams and stuff we are hoping the email we receive from you confirms that there may possibly be some truth to this and a glimmer of hope for our family.
We would be most grateful for your kind response and possibly views on Diabetes Destroyed?
Thank you in advance.
Warmest regards
Mrs McCulloch
I need to know if there is any suggestions you could give me on how to improve my memory. I have Dimentia and I am only 48 years old. It is due to an alcoholic depression I went through over 15 years ago. I need some suggestions on how to strengthen my memory. My address is;
3828 North Portersville Road
Lot #9
Jasper, IN 47546
Anything you/your medical staff would suggest will be applied by me. Thank you, Kelly Hill
My partner loves to wear adult diapers.A fetish of his.Can you tell me if it's harmful and where it may come from?Childhood or something else?